Why South Africans Are Criticizing NFL’s Paschal Ekeji Over Freedom Day Wishes
Paschal Ekeji was born in Lesotho to Nigerian parents and grew up in Bloemfontein. He joined the New York Jets in 2025 and painted his helmet with Nigerian, Lesotho and South African flags. On April 27, the NFL’s African account posted a “Happy Freedom Day” message featuring Ekeji. Some South Africans criticized the post, arguing he is not South African. A South African commentator says apartheid-era hierarchies taught black South Africans they were superior to other Africans. He believes this legacy fuels backlash against Africans from other nations. Many users have drawn parallels with earlier nationality disputes on social media.
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